Opinions on department store mountain bikes?

Option #2.

wvumtnbkr wrote: I disagree on all of the comments about Disc brakes. I would NEVER go back. Bent rim doesn't bother disc brakes. Dirt and mud doesn't bother disc brakes. An out of adjustment brake pad doesn't pop my tire. All the disc brakes are simple and easy to work on. Just make sure you get a brand that you can get replacement pads for. Disc brakes are easier to set-up and maintain as well.

Mechanical discs or Hydraulics?

I just spent $250 replacing the hydraulics on my 29er. The factory calipers lasted <1000 miles. Rear had a bad seal and let some fluid by, the front had a stuck piston I couldn't free up well enough. Can't buy seal/rebuild kits for bike calipers :( . I still have some hope that I will be able to clean them well enough (or find some seals from a Hayes caliper that fit) and reassemble to get them working as a backup setup.

Don't get me wrong, I love the performance of them, but for something as simple as what the OP wants, I'd stick with rim brakes. Simple, easy to work on, super cheap to replace.

I was thinking cable actuated. Like Hayes cable, or Avid cable. Both are cheap and worry free. The AVIDs are the easiet brakes in the world to set up.

http://www.pricepoint.com/Brand/Avid/Avid-BB7-Mechanical-Disc-Brake-2012.axd <-- this is for brand new with pads.

What type of hydraulic do you have?

Shimano, Hayes, Mags, Avid, etc.. All have rebuild kits available.

I used to work at a shop in college. We had parts for all of the hydraulic brakes. Stuff we didn't have was available from the internet.

Rob R.

Let me clarify what I am trying to say:

I don't think the OP NEEDS disc brakes (or even wants them). I am just saying that there is no reason to stay away from Disc. Especially if they are cable actuated.

Looks like mine has HAyes calipers on it. interesting.

The_Jed wrote: Option #2.

Gotcha, that's what I was thinking too. Some of foxtrappers 60's bikes are surely sturdy enough for that, but for your purposes a modern mountain bike fits the bill. I would encourage you to check out hybrids, but be careful because some with have thin road-bike-style tires. If the tires are 26" rather than 700c you're probably fine, if they are 700c you should just take a close look and make sure they seem big enough for you.

To some extent this varies with the kind of curb you have in your city. Lots of those taller curbs with the square shoulders virtually demand a mountain bike. I have pinch flatted a 27x1.25 road bike more than once by wheelie-ing a bit too early and coming down hard on the wrong part of those tall curbs (also: it hurts).

wvumtnbkr wrote: What type of hydraulic do you have?

Tektro Draco is what came on the bike. Now it has Shimano SLX. Where can I purchase a rebuild kit for these?

I'd shop hard for the guy who got fat and can't ride his top-of-the-line bike circa 2000 if I were you.

My 15yr old Una-Vega hardtail still bombs down a mountain every now and again when I'm not using it as my pit bike or I'd sell it to ya for $200. :)

carlamast wrote: I have used mountain bike. My mountain is very solid. I fear that mongoose is just a different walmart bike. I used to good quality, but at some point decided to go walmart witht he brand. Not sure that ever reversed. My mountain bike color is same my mountain bike clothes color red and black.

yeah it's a CANOE, that's why i removed the link. but that's some funny engrish right there. my mountin' is very solid too. ask your mom.

i am in the exact same predicament and then i found this.

gave me a whole new outlook.

like most things you need to know what to look for to get the most bang for your buck

I dropped by the local hobby shop-bike shop yesterday to grab some super duper glue and looked a the bikes. Most of what they had runs $1,200-2,500. That ain't gonna happen.

Craigslist, especially this time of the year. I have bought and sold Cannondales for $200.